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To the editor:
It’s no secret that Republicans, both voters and representatives, want most or all undocumented immigrants to leave the country. A recent letter expressed surprise that Democrats don’t share this sentiment. Let’s assume that Republicans have their way. Who will pick the produce we take for granted in supermarkets? Who will gather eggs? Butcher meats?
Who will mow the lawns, build and repair our houses, clean hotel rooms and do the thousands of other low-paying, vital and essential jobs Americans rely upon daily?
And who will replace the tens of billions of dollars the undocumented pay into Social Security and Medicare (which they are legally prevented from collecting) that keep these systems solvent and which our elderly need to survive?
Will the children and grandchildren of MAGA supporters come to the rescue? I doubt it. So what’s the plan? The endgame? There isn’t one.
Unlike Republicans, Democrats understand that the undocumented give far more than they get; they aren’t exploiting the system, the system exploits them. THAT is why Democrats don’t support mass deportations.
Joseph Cannisi
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wpeakes
What a coincidence. There is currently a bill being debated in Florida to loosen child labor laws to allow children aged 16-17 to work overnight. The hope is to fill the vacancies created by the current deportation efforts. How will our youth be prepared with education they need for the high tech jobs of the future if they're working the late shift on a farm while they're still kids?
Thursday, March 27 Report this
JDonne
In response to your letter, I would like to express my disagreement with your assertion that Democrats oppose mass deportations due to the significant contributions of undocumented immigrants to the economy and society. While it is true that undocumented immigrants perform vital jobs and contribute to Social Security and Medicare, I argue that they are a net fiscal burden on the government.
The reason for this is their low average educational level, which leads to low earnings and tacit payments. Consequently, a substantial number of illegal immigrants qualify for welfare programs, often receiving benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born children.
It is important to note that illegal immigrants do pay taxes. In 2019, they paid approximately $5.9 billion in federal income tax and $3.8 billion in Medicaid taxes. However, these taxes do not offset the cost of the social services they receive, resulting in a net fiscal drain of $68,000 per illegal immigrant.
In summary, while undocumented immigrants may contribute to the economy and society, their low educational level and lack of tax compliance make them a net fiscal burden on the government.
Sunday, April 6 Report this
reenjoe
@JDonne, I'm not sure where you obtained your 2019 tax information. A 2022 study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy determined that the undocumented paid $96.7 Billion that year. Most of this, nearly $60 Billion went to the federal government and the remaining $37 Billion went to the States. As for tax avoidance, this study also found that in 40 of 50 States the undocumented paid higher State and Local tax rates than did the top 1% of households in those 40 States.
You may "argue that they are a net fiscal burden on the government" but the Tax Policy Center found the exact opposite. In a December 17, 2024 report the TPC calculated "Over her lifetime, an immigrant who arrived in the US at age 25 and did not graduate high school will pay net $200,000 more in taxes than what she will receive in government benefits."
Monday, April 7 Report this
JDonne
reenjoe, My information has been verified by Steven A. Camarota, Director of Research, Center for Immigration Studies, January 11, 2024.
I will summarize the information regarding the cost of illegal immigration to the American taxpayer. Undocumented immigrants are a net fiscal drain of $68,000.00 per illegal immigrant, period.
Tuesday, April 8 Report this
reenjoe
JDonne, Steven A Camarota and his organization - the Center for Immigration Studies- have been cited as frauds by nearly every fact checking and media group in the country. FactCheck, Snopes, Politifact have all found his analyses to employ poor methodologies resulting in false findings. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labelled the CIS as "an anti-immigrant hate group". Even the conservative CATO Institute describes Camarota's and the CIS's work as false and misleading.
In a June 2018 court case involving voting rights and immigrants the judge dismissed Camarota's testimony ruling “Camarota is not qualified".
Finally, Media Bias states "Overall, we rate CIS a questionable source based on publishing misleading information (propaganda) regarding immigration". On the other hand, my source The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, is rated by Media Bias as "Overall, we rate the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Left-Center biased based on economic policy and High for factual reporting"
Quite simply your data comes from an extremely biased fraudster that specializes in propaganda, period!
Tuesday, April 8 Report this
JDonne
Hello reenjoe,
In your post, you assert that Steven A. Camarota and his organization, the Center for Immigration Studies, are discredited by fact-checking organizations and labeled as an anti-immigrant hate group. You also claim that their data is considered biased and misleading.
In response, I would like to provide some clarification.
Dr. Steven A. Camarota, the Director of Immigration Studies, provides “fact-based” information on immigration to policymakers, academics, the media, and citizens. His research has been featured on prominent media outlets, and he has testified before Congress on 30 occasions. Dr. Camarota holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate degree in public policy analysis from the University of Virginia.
(It is important to note that Dr. Camarota is neither a member of any hate group nor is his Research Center biased or misleading, as you have repeatedly asserted.)
Thursday, April 10 Report this